Chapter 399 - 367: Red Tail Island (Part 1)
Chapter 399: Chapter 367: Red Tail Island (Part 1)
Seeing Zhao Lin’s resolute expression, Steward Hu stopped trying to persuade him. "In that case, please present your Body Stone and jade slip, Younger Brother Zhao."
He routinely took out his Star Origin Brush and recorded the mission on Zhao Lin’s Body Stone: "Eleventh month of the Gui Mao year, Zhao Lin accepts the mission to collect Spirit Pearls on Red Tail Island, Gui Zi No. 6, White Grade..."
He then copied the mission details onto the jade slip and handed both items to Zhao Lin.
Zhao Lin cupped his hands in thanks. "Thank you, Senior Brother Hu." With that, he turned and left.
Steward Hu watched Zhao Lin’s departing figure and muttered to himself, ’He’s really too eager for quick results. I just hope the young man has a safe trip!’
Zhao Lin went straight back to the Spirit Dao Institute, found Elder Nie, and told him that he was about to leave for a mission.
This time, Elder Nie didn’t try to stop him, merely asking casually, "What mission?"
Zhao Lin answered truthfully, "I’m going to Red Tail Island to collect Spirit Pearls."
Elder Nie was taken aback. "Red Tail Island? You mean the one near the East Sea?"
Zhao Lin nodded. "That’s the one."
Elder Nie’s brow furrowed, and his expression darkened.
"What’s the grade of this mission?"
"White Grade."
"Do you have any idea how dangerous that mission is?"
"I do."
Elder Nie’s eyelid twitched. He said coldly, "I may not know the details of other missions, but I know this one inside and out."
"The Earth Dark Sect is an island sect, and they specialize in Water Element Skills. Fighting them to the death underwater... are you trying to get yourself killed?"
With that, he shot to his feet, his voice harsh. "Didn’t Hu Zhiming tell you any of this? He’s practically leading disciples to their doom!"
Hu Zhiming was the Steward Hu from the Merit Hall. Zhao Lin quickly said, "Steward Hu did mention it."
"So you knew all this? Then why did you still accept the mission?"
Elder Nie pressed him, "Your combat prowess on land might be impressive, but it’s completely different underwater. All magic, except for Water Element Skills, is restricted."
"Take your Flame Stream Arrow, for instance. Underwater, its power will be a third of its usual strength at best. How do you expect to fight cultivators from the Earth Dark Sect with that?"
Zhao Lin knew Elder Nie was concerned for his well-being and explained earnestly, "I also know the Spirit Blade Skill, and ice-based magic is largely unaffected underwater. Furthermore, the Rock Armor Skill is an Earth Element skill, which can counter water-based attacks."
"You’re being too simplistic!"
Elder Nie sneered. "Underwater combat is entirely different from fighting on land. The sea is treacherous and turbulent. If your proficiency with the Water Manipulation Skill is lacking, you won’t even be able to stay stable."
"You’ll be facing not just the Water Blade Skill, but also the Water Arrow Skill, Flying Waterfall Skill, Water Spear Skill, Water Tornado, Fubo Skill, and Dark Surge Skill... Do you think you can handle all that?"
"Frankly, our Chenghua Sect is superior to the Earth Dark Sect in every other type of magic, but we are inferior when it comes to Water Element Skills. In recent years, the records of our clashes show that we’ve consistently been at a disadvantage!"
"I reluctantly approved your last mission because, at the end of the day, it was an internal sect affair against our own disciples."
"But this time is different. No matter how many Hongyan Talismans you send, no one will come to rescue you. If you die, you die in vain."
Zhao Lin fell silent for a moment. He knew that unless he revealed some of his true ability, Elder Nie would never let him go. "Elder, I must inform you, my Water Manipulation Skill has already reached Minor Achievement."
"What?"
Elder Nie looked incredulous. "How is that possible? Haven’t you been cultivating the Ice Blade Skill, Rock Armor Skill, and Flame Stream Arrow?"
’To master three skills to the Minor Achievement Level in just two years of cultivation already made him a once-in-a-generation genius of magic. How could he have mastered yet another skill to the Minor Achievement Level?’
Zhao Lin explained, "I have a Water Spirit Root. I’ve been practicing this skill for the past six months."
Elder Nie stared at Zhao Lin, his gaze flickering with uncertainty.
Although he knew Zhao Lin wouldn’t lie about such a thing, he still found it hard to believe. He said in a low voice, "Show me."
"Yes."
Zhao Lin agreed and quickly walked out of the training room with Elder Nie.
Before long, the two of them arrived at Qingyi Lake, located at the foot of Guangze Peak.
The lake’s water was deep and tranquil, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, and green mountains, as still as a painted scroll.
Zhao Lin bowed. "If my Water Manipulation Skill has indeed reached the Minor Achievement Level, then I ask the Elder to permit me to undertake this mission."
Elder Nie snorted. "We’ll talk after I’ve seen it."
Without further delay, Zhao Lin leaped into the lake.
While still in mid-air, he formed a spell with his hands and activated the Water Manipulation Skill. Water-element Spiritual Qi rapidly converged, forming a current that swirled around his body.
SPLASH! He entered the water and shot forward like a fish, moving with incredible speed.
In truth, Zhao Lin had already mastered the Water Manipulation Skill to the Great Achievement level. He was only using a fraction of his mana to simulate the proficiency of the Minor Achievement level.
With his keen eyes, Elder Nie could tell at a glance not only that Zhao Lin’s Water Manipulation Skill had reached the Minor Achievement Level, but that he was clearly holding back.
’Every art has its specialists. Most cultivators focused their energy on offensive or defensive magic, or on crafts like alchemy, tool-making, talismans, and arrays. Very few would dedicate themselves to mastering auxiliary skills like the Water Manipulation Skill or the Earth Manipulation Skill.’
A moment later, Zhao Lin leaped from the water and landed on the shore, not a single drop of water clinging to him.
Elder Nie was speechless for a long moment. The thought of such a talented disciple going on a deadly mission made him even more reluctant to let him go.
Sensing Elder Nie’s hesitation, Zhao Lin said calmly, "The path of the Great Dao is a struggle. There is only moving forward, never back. I know this journey is dangerous."
"But the path of cultivation has always been fraught with difficulty; it’s impossible to avoid all risks. As a Martial Cultivator, especially, I must advance without fear."
"Elder, please allow me to carry out this mission!"
Elder Nie said forlornly, "With your talent, you could easily cultivate for a few more years and go to Red Tail Island when you’re much better prepared."
Zhao Lin replied, "If I hadn’t taken the mission to the Yinfeng Realm, I would likely still be stuck at the Qi Refining Third Layer. There are no absolute guarantees in life. I will be careful."
Elder Nie considered this for a long time before finally sighing in resignation. "Fine. You must be careful on this trip. After you enter the sea, try to stay close to the ships or the shore. If you run into trouble, get back on a boat immediately. Do you understand?"
"I understand!"
Zhao Lin breathed a sigh of relief. "Rest assured, Elder. I am not a reckless person."
Elder Nie thought for a moment, then said, "The man stationed at Red Tail Island, Gan Xingquan, is an old friend of mine. I’ll send a messenger bird to have him look out for you."
Zhao Lin was grateful. "Thank you, Elder. I will be sure to come back alive."
...
Having received permission for his journey, Zhao Lin didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he spent the next few days making preparations.
On one hand, he went to the Library Pavilion to read up on the various types of Demon Beasts found in the sea, focusing especially on methods for dealing with Clam Demons and other shelled monstrosities.
On the other hand, he sought out a senior disciple instructor who was proficient in Water Element Skills to learn the intricacies of underwater combat.
Just as Elder Nie had said, combat in water was different from combat on land. Spells would deform, deviate from their path, slow down, and lose power.
Without practice, it was easy for things to go wrong, and one’s combat effectiveness would be drastically reduced.
The Water Manipulation Skill was the only water-element skill Zhao Lin knew; for offense, he still had to rely on his Ice Blade Skill and Thunder Blade Skill.
He practiced these two skills underwater again and again, until he had mastered their behavior and trajectories in the new environment.